What Is a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?
Alabama issues a temporary license tag under Ala. Code §§32-6-210 through 32-6-219, authorizing short-term operation on public roads before permanent registration. The tag bridges the gap between vehicle acquisition and full titling and licensing.
Designated agents issue the tags: licensed dealers at point of sale, county licensing officials (judges of probate or license commissioners) when a permanent tag cannot be issued immediately, and manufacturers or transporters moving vehicles out of state. Each tag is a paper document printed through the Alabama Department of Revenue’s electronic portal, displayed on the rear per Admin Code 810-5-1-.204.
What Types of Temporary License Plates Are There in Alabama?
| Class | Official Name | Trigger | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designated-agent tag | Temporary license tag (§32-6-211) | Vehicle sale by dealer | Dealer designated agent |
| Licensing-official tag | Temporary license tag (§32-6-213) | Just cause; permanent tag unavailable | Judge of probate or license commissioner |
| Manufacturer/transporter tag | Temporary license tag (§32-6-212) | Out-of-state transport from AL plant | Approved manufacturer or transporter |
| Temporary metal plate | Temporary registration plate (§32-6-62.1) | New vehicle made in AL, licensed elsewhere | County licensing official |
| Dealer transit plate | Seven-day dealer transit plate (§40-12-264) | Inventory transport by dealer | Alabama Department of Revenue |
Dealer-issued tags under §32-6-211 cannot be renewed or reissued for the same vehicle. Licensing officials under §32-6-213 may issue successive tags for the same vehicle, up to a cumulative limit.
When Is a Temporary License Plate Required in Alabama?
- A buyer purchasing from an Alabama dealer receives a temporary license tag at point of sale when the permanent plate is not issued simultaneously.
- A non-resident taking delivery of a new vehicle manufactured in Alabama may apply for a temporary registration plate under §32-6-62.1.
- A licensed dealer transporting inventory vehicles uses a seven-day dealer transit plate under §40-12-264.
- A manufacturer or transporter moving vehicles built in Alabama to out-of-state destinations applies for authority under §32-6-212 and posts a surety bond.
- An owner who lacks required documents (missing title from a private seller, delayed dealer paperwork) may request a temporary license tag from a county licensing official under §32-6-213 for just cause.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?
- Gather your bill of sale, certificate of title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, proof of Alabama mandatory liability insurance, and a valid photo ID.
- Choose your lane: the selling dealer’s office (most common), or your county licensing official if the dealer cannot resolve the issue.
- Submit the application at the counter or through the dealer’s electronic portal provided by the Department of Revenue; the designated agent prints the tag on site.
- Pay the issuance fee described in the next section.
- Receive the paper temporary tag and a temporary tag receipt (form MVR: 32-6-211), which must remain inside the vehicle.
The Alabama Department of Revenue sample temporary tag page details the full issuance procedure.
How Much Does a Temporary License Plate Cost in Alabama?
| Class | Fee | Add-on | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary license tag (§32-6-211/213) | $2.25 per tag | None | Vehicle owner |
| Temporary registration plate (§32-6-62.1) | $25 per 30-day period | $1.50 manufacturing cost to state | Vehicle owner |
| Seven-day dealer transit plate (§40-12-264) | $5 per plate | $2 issuance fee | Dealer |
Dealer-issued temporary license tags at point of sale cost the buyer $2.25 per §32-6-215; the county licensing official path carries the same statutory fee.
How to Get a Temporary License Plate Online in Alabama?
No, Alabama does not offer temporary license tags directly to consumers through an online portal. Designated agents (dealers and county licensing officials) issue tags through the Department of Revenue’s internal electronic system, but vehicle owners cannot self-serve.
The primary path for most buyers runs through the selling dealership at point of sale. The dealer prints the tag at the counter before the buyer drives off the lot.
Owners who need a tag outside of a dealer transaction visit their county licensing official in person. Alabama has 67 counties, each with a probate judge or license commissioner office handling motor vehicle transactions.
The dealership lane at point of sale is the standard path; the county office handles edge cases where dealer paperwork is delayed or incomplete.
How Long Can I Run a Temporary License Plate in Alabama?
| Class | Validity | Geographic Cap | Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary license tag (dealer, §32-6-211) | 20 days | None | No renewal or successive tags |
| Temporary license tag (licensing official, §32-6-213) | 20 days per tag, 60 days max | None | Up to 3 successive tags |
| Temporary registration plate (§32-6-62.1) | 30 days per period, 90 days max | None | No extension past 90 days |
| Seven-day dealer transit plate (§40-12-264) | 7 days | Inventory transport only | None |
Operating a vehicle with an expired temporary license tag is a misdemeanor under §32-6-219, carrying a fine up to $500, imprisonment up to six months, or both.